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Old habits die hard, but when it comes to bad ones, die they must. Bad habits suck your time and energy. They make it impossible to achieve your goals and they are mentally and physically toxic. When you’re trying to move away from certain behaviors, there are ways to set yourself up for success. Identify Your Reason Habits are hard to break, so you need something to motivate you to break one. Before you take action, think…
Read MoreWhile things with your partner may have started out quite steamy, it’s difficult to sustain passion over the years. As dedicated as you are to your spouse, it’s hard to maintain that same level of sexual satisfaction after a long time making love to the same person. This is an issue that often brings couples in for our marriage counseling services, and fortunately, years of experience in counseling, as well as the most recent empirical research, have…
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Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling The first date is an experience that can bring up a mixed bag of emotions. Many people feel a range of emotions including insecurities, nervousness, excitement, anxiety, and even fear. You are not only worrying about making a good first impression, but also have the task of determining if the person sitting across the table is a good match for you. The amount of pressures and anxieties that come along…
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Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner I’m not good enough. I’m unlovable. I’m worthless. No one wants to believe these things. But they are common core beliefs. Dr. Greensberger and Dr. Padesky state that “core beliefs are absolute statements about ourselves, others or the world.” Core beliefs, they say, are “the deepest level of cognition.” In short, core beliefs are powerful. They dictate our emotions and actions, often without our awareness. These beliefs are created in childhood and…
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Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner Do you focus more on your disappointments as opposed to your successes? If so, you’re not alone. Many people can quickly recall times when they were unsuccessful. Yet when asked about their successes, they struggle to identify any, or they minimize them. I had a client who experienced anxiety while taking public transportation. He told me that he had a panic attack in the past week and he was frustrated with his…
Read MoreAt Symmetry Counseling, we are proud of our staff of highly trained and experienced licensed mental health professionals. In the above video, meet Madissyn Fredericks, a Licensed Professional Counselor here at Symmetry Counseling. What made you decide to be a therapist? I decided to become a therapist because I couldn’t think of another profession where I would have the opportunity to build relationships with people every day and make a difference in their lives. What are your…
Read MoreMadissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Everyone goes into their first marriage expecting it to be their last, yet in today’s society, the terms “divorce” and “blended family” (or “stepfamily”) are not foreign concepts. A blended family or stepfamily forms when you and your partner merge your lives together with children from one or both of your previous marriages. Knowing there are many difficulties you and your family may face, it can be incredibly intimidating and…
Read MoreMadissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling We are told that “actively listening” to our significant others will help us connect and communicate with them more effectively. You may think you are a great listener, but the truth is most of us don’t listen as well as we could to those we care about. But what does it mean to “actively listen” to someone? Active listening is a model that includes building rapport and trust with another…
Read MoreBy now, I am sure that you have heard of the importance of coping skills and taking part in regular self-care routines. Generally, when we plan self-care routines, we focus on one or two activities that help us feel better, such as going for a run, or getting our nails done. Too often, I see people utilizing coping skills and not seeing results. It takes time and self-awareness to learn what helps you, what does not, and…
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Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner Empathy is one of the most powerful ways we can connect with others. Alfred Adler, founder of the school of individual psychology, wrote, “Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of another.” The experience of stepping into someone else’s shoes without judgment and letting ourselves feel what they’re feeling is vital to experiencing intimacy in our relationships. But often it…
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